Clients trust Nicole to defend complex, high-exposure liability cases, where millions–and reputations–are on the line.
Nicole is the first call when catastrophic injury, wrongful death, or major financial exposure threatens a business. She steps in at the outset to develop a thoughtful strategy, evaluate risk, manage potential media scrutiny, and counsel her clients. Her early involvement positions clients to make informed decisions before litigation escalates.
She is known for her aggressive yet professional advocacy in a broad array of civil defense and commercial disputes, including premise and product liability, construction, and security cases. Nicole’s consistent, results-driven representation makes her a key asset mitigating substantial financial and reputational consequences. Over the past two decades, she has successfully prevailed at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and secured numerous Summary Judgment wins in state and federal courts. Her approach blends disciplined litigation tactics with sound judgment, earning the trust of clients as they navigate complex and high-risk disputes.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2001
- Moot Court Board
- Captain, Fordham Kaufman Securities Regulation Team
- Ralph Rose & Samuel Help Award for outstanding oral advocacy skills
- Note & Comment Editor, Michigan State International Law Review
- Director of Public Affairs and Parliamentarian, Student Bar Association
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1997
Professional Groups
- State Bar of Michigan
- Insurance & Indemnity Law, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation, and Negligence Law Sections
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Association
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Insurance Institute of Michigan
- Defense Research Institute
- Zausmer P.C. Diversity Committee
- Co-Chair
- TIPS/ABA
- Vice-Chair of the Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee
Presentations
- What’s Above the Glass Ceiling?
CenterForce Driving Diversity in Law and Leadership Summit, April 2023
Honors & Awards
- Top Women Attorneys in Michigan – 2021 and 2022
- Michigan Top Lawyers – 2017
- Super Lawyers (Michigan) – 2013 – Present
- Super Lawyers Rising Star (Michigan) – 2012